The Times-Picayune ArchiveMembers of Team Marriott show off their product at the 2011 "Got Gumbo?" fundraiser for the United Way.

GOT GUMBO:? United Way of Southeast Louisiana and the Royal Sonesta Hotel, 300 Bourbon St., hold the 12th Annual "Got Gumbo?" Cook-off and benefit Thursday, Feb. 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. Celebrity judges will select Best Traditional Gumbo, Best Exotic Gumbo and Best Seafood Gumbo, and those in attendance will bestow People's Choice awards of Best Gumbo, Best Dessert, and Best "Float" Table Decorations. Live music plays as participants such as 5 Fifty 5 New Orleans Marriott, Bourbon House, Charlie's Restaurant, Deanie's, Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse, M Bistro at The Ritz-Carlton, Mahony's, Palace Café, Red Fish Grill, Ruby Slipper and more compete. Tickets are $30 at the door; more info at www.unitedwaysela.org .

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LOST RESTAURANTS DISHES TO BE RECREATED: On March 9 at The Bistro, a student-operated eatery, students at the John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux will reproduce a menu highlighting recipes and dishes featured in "Lost Restaurants of New Orleans" by Peggy Scott Laborde and Tom Fitzmorris. Cost is $50 per person for Oysters Dunbar appetizer, T. Pittari's Crab Bisque soup, Delmonico House Salad and choice of entrée (La Louisiane's Trout la Freniere, Elmwood Plantation's Chicken Grandee or Crozier's Veal with Crawfish). Reservations: Call Vickie Veillion at 985.449.7114.

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HOLLYGROVE AND SWIRL COLLABORATE: Swirl Wine Bar is the newest satellite location to pick up a box of Hollygrove Market fresh, local produce, around 12 items for $25. It can be picked up weekly at Swirl on Saturdays from 4 to 6 p.m., and chef Richard Papier will prepare dishes with the contents of the box to pair with Swirl's wine list. All wines by the glass are half price then, too. SIgn up for the pickup at www.hollygrovemarket.com.

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PLANTING THE SPRING GARDEN: New Orleans Food and Farm Network will hold a workshop on planting the spring garden on Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Guerrilla Garden, 5723 Chartres St., taught by Calvin Alexander, an organic urban gardener in the Lower 9th Ward for more than 40 years. He will cover site selection, soil health, seed and starter selection for spring, sustainable pest and disease control and more. The workshop cost is $5; email workshops@noffn.org.

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NEW CLASSIC DRINKS TOUR: New Orleans Culinary History Tours has added a new New Orleans' Classic Drinks Tour with Abita Beer (made with deep spring water the Choctaw Indians considered medicinal), Absinthe, the Sazerac, and a French 75 champagne cocktail and Soufflé Potatoes from Arnaud's. The two-hour tour, drinks and potatoes are $58. More information: www.noculinarytours.com .